If there's one word that would describe how my week was, it would be that word: drastic. From my schedule to my daily activities, my eating habit (Man! I eat like a man again! *arrgghhh*), and my getup (all right, stop your imagination, right there, Mr! I am not that naive as you think I am).

Before leaving the HR (main) office on my first day, the officer said something that shocked me and left my guy-friends laughing as I was texting them how short the skirts of the girls are at the main office:

"We'll require you to wear skirts and stockings even if you're not directly hired by our company."

What?! Me? Oh no. No. No.

I wear skirts sometimes, not every day! And to use the word "require" on me is something that I would take as a forced labor. I am picky on skirts (the materials used and the cut) and I am picky on the shoes that would go with them. It's okay if I can't walk my usual walk (or sit) because I am wearing a skirt, but if I can't hop and walk fast with my pair of shoes, that is suicide. It's a major bad day.

I have nothing against women wearing skirts. I am sorry if I am giving you that impression. This is just me. I am that sneaker-type of person but I look up to women who travel by public transportation and yet could still carry themselves every day wearing skirts and a pair of high-heeled shoes (and at the end of the day cry because their feet are aching-- some with bruises and some with callous). The pain of being a woman, eh? Not to mention the monthly cramps. And oh! Try sitting with a bunch of guys and listen (and watch their head turns) every time a woman passes them by. I should know because I am one of them (again!). It's fun tho'. LOL! Now it's pay-back time you'd say? That's one reason why I am being paranoid.

"I did not sign on anything that they could take against me (not wearing a skirt)," I told my guy-friends when I told them about that casual conversation that I had with the officer. But when my supervisor said he cannot back me up when the HR people do their random visits, I got scared. I cannot just tell these people, "hey! I didn't sign on anything! I can wear anything I want!"

It's Friday. The last time I worked for them (some time last year), I wear my black chucks every Friday. Today I was wearing a pair of ladies' shoes that gave me blisters.

"Where are your chucks? It's Friday!", one of the employees asked me when he saw me. They don't have a wash-day now... er... they didn't have a wash-day before, matigas lang talaga ulo ko.

Oh my. The changes that I should be dealing with are giving me a head ache. I may as well try not to break any rules(?) especially when I have to go back to the HR office this coming week for my ID. They asked me to go back that same day but... never mind (matigas talaga ulo ko).

First, I gotta find something comfy this weekend. Oh no. Make that second. First should be, I gotta have a budget for my new collection of clothings and shoes. That would mean a drastic effect on my savings again. *wuhuhu*

It should be worth-it.

P.S.
After a few months of hibernating, I am back to playing badminton again. Yup! How my whole body ached the next day!

[photos taken by Mikaela, layout by M.German]